Endless link-chain track



A. V. RACKSTRAW. Y

ENDL'ESS LINK CHAIN Tra/mj APPLICATION FILEDMAYZ, 1919.

Patented Feb. 17,1920.

ALBERT V. RAQKSTRAW, OF BEDFORD, OHIO.

ENDLESS LINK-CHAIN TRACK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application 1ed May 27, 1919. Serial No. 300,104.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT V. RAcksTRAw, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Bedford, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Endless Link-Chain Tracks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements inendless, self-laying tracks employing articulated link sections, and used on motor vehicles, particularly of the tractor type.

Ordinarily these flexiblel endless tracks comprise a series of steel links connected by case-hardened steel pivot pins. In'asmuch as tractors are subjected to very heavy wear, the-tracks often being submerged in mud, there is naturally severe strain on the A elements, and a clogging or lencumbering of said elements with mud or other extraneous matter.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a simple and dura- "-ble track of the character set forth, which -Will run smoothly, and in which there is little or no lost motion, and in which the liability to become clogged is reducedto a minimum.

With these and other apparent objects in view, the invention consists er .entially, in-

the novel and peculiar combination of rparts and details of construction as hereinafter set forth and described and pointed out definitely in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing which is made part of the specification, similar reference characters being'employed to designate corresponding parts. p

In the said drawing Figure 1 is a side elevation of two link units as connected in the chain. y

Fig. 2 is a plan view of two ofthe said units connected.

Fig. 3 is a right hand end view of one unit, and'Fig. 4 is a section `of one unit taken i on line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

Tracks of this class generallycomprise an endless chain, or an articulated member' adapted to be` engaged by a driven sprocket.

The present invention* consists in the novel particular construction of the units 10, a plurality of said units being pivotally connected and adapted to cooperate with a driven sprocket.

1n the embodiment as illustrated, ^each individual unit 10 is an integral casting which comprises a plate 11, said plate performing the function of a shoe or tread, on which the structure is supported. The tread inember 11 is provided with a transverse traction flange 12 on one end thereof, and the"opposite end has a medial recess 13 therein.

Two ears 14 and 15 extend vertically from the member 11, and are spaced equi-distant from the vlongitudinal .medial line and in Juxtaposition to the notched, or recessed end of said member 11, as shown. These ears 14 and 15 combined form the female portion of the link. Theropposite or flanged end of the plate 11 is'provided with a male member 1G, medially located. The mem'` bers 14, 15 and 1G are respectively lprovided with transverse central bores 14, 15a and 16a, and the male member 16 of one unit is adapted to enter the space between the members 14 and 15 of an associated unit. The transverse apertures 14a, 15l1 and 16a are adapted to register and provide bearings for a pivot pin 17.

The elements 14 and '15 are supported by webs 14? and 15b, and have longitudinally extending rails 14c and 15C, and the element `16 is supported by a web 16?, said element 1'6 being provided with a rail 1Gc which eX- tends longitudinally, medially of the rails 14c and 15C. Reinforcing ribs 14d and 15d strengthen the rails 14C and 15, while a rib 16d performs the same function relative to the rail 16.

.The sprocket wheel with which the improved track is associated, is provided with a double row of corresponding teeth, and the rails 14C and 15c are adapted to bear on the periphery ofthe wheeloutside the teeth, while the rail 16c bears on the periphery between the two rows of teeth.

`When the unitsare assembled, the end 11n of one unit overlaps the end 11b of a contiguous unit, the notch or recess 13 provid- Patented Feb. 1v, 192e.

ing clearance for the web 16".l The bearing of the web 16" against the root 13a of the recess 13 prevents upward buckling of the ground engaging leg of the track, therebyv increasing the traction power. y Recesses 1S are provided in the outer faces of the female members 14 and 15, for the purpose of receiving the ends of cotter-pins 19 which retain the pivot pin 17.

- It is obvious that an endless link track constructed substantially as above described, is durable and smooth running and therefore 420 link being providedwitha tread and a male hinge member and two female members, rails v highly efficient, and while I have` described and a third rail extending from the .malev one, off-said rails a preferred form of my invention, I am not limited to the precise details as set forth, but I desire to avail iiyself of'such variations and changes as come within the scopeof the appended claims.

What I claim is:

'1. An endless link cha-in track comprising a plurality of articulated link sections, each link being provided with a tread plate'and an upstanding male hinge member and two female members, rail members extending longitudinally from the female members,

member medially of vthe first named rails and spaced" therefrom, and journal pins connecting the male member of one link andthe Vfemale members of an adjoining link.

2. An endless link chain track comprising a plurality of articulated link sections, each extending longitudinally from and in a plane with the top of the female members, and a third rail extending 'from the male member ina planawith the top thereof and-medially ofjthe first namedrails and spaced therefrom', and 'strengthening webs from said rails to the tread plate. p

3. A link section for endless chain tracks comprising a tread plate with three upstanding rail web portions cast integral therewith, extending longitudinally, medially from one end of said tread plate,

the other two rails extending longitudinallyy -from the opposite end of said plate and spaced'from the first named rail on opposing sides thereof, female hinge elements formed members, and-a male female l members,

comprising a tread plate having a recess formed medially-in one end thereof and two 'upstanding rail web portions cast integral therewith, said rail portions provided with female hinge elements and extending longitudinallj7 of the tread plate, from sald recess, a third railweb portion cast integral with the tread plate, provided with a. malehinge element and extending longitudinally from the' opposite end of said plate between the two rail portions first named .andf in alinement with the recess. j

5. An endless link chain track comprising a plurality of articulated link sections, each link being provided with a tread plate and an' upstanding male hinge member and` two rail, members extending longitudinally from the female members, a thi-rd rail extending from the male member medially of the-first named rails and spaced therefrom, a journal pin connectingthe male member of o ne link and the female members :of an adjoining link, and retaining elements connected with Ythe ends ofsaidjpurnal pins.

6. An endless link chain'tr'a'ck comprising a plurality of articulated link sections, each linkbeing provided with a tread plate and an upstanding male hinge' membeeandfwo female members-rail members extending longitudinally from the female members, a third rail extendingk from the male member medially of the first named rails and spaced therefrom, a journal pin connecting the male member of one link and the female members ofan 'adjoining'linlg and Cotter-pins in the ends of the journal pins, recesses being provided in the outer faces of the female members for locking said Cotter-pins.

4of I aiix my signature.

In testimony where ALBERT V. RACKSTRAW.

spaced laterally 

